Faculty Members

Cancer

The major focus of investigators in this area is the use of genetic and molecular approaches to study the underlying mechanisms of cancer and factors that contribute to tumor progression. Examples include identification of cancer susceptibility genes, genetic variation in tumor formation, DNA damage and repair pathways, and carcinogens.

Steven Kridel Proteases and Cancer: Proteases play pivotal roles in the progression of cancer. Fatty Acid Synthase and prostate cancer: Fatty acid synthase (FAS) has been established as a biomarker and prognostic indicator for prostate cancer. Faculty Profile & Publications / Research Description

Timothy Pardee My research focus is directed at understanding how Acute Myeloid Leukemia cells resist chemotherapy with the hope of using this information to design clinical trials and improve outcomes for patients with this devastating disease. Faculty Profile & Publications / Research Description

Functional Genomics and Physiology

Studies in this area explore the contribution of specific genes to both physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. A major focus is on the experimental manipulation of genes and gene expression in animal models and cell-based systems and analyses of phenotypic consequences.

Barbara Nicklas Research focuses on understanding the metabolic and hormonal adaptations to exercise and dietary interventions in older individuals, and the role of genetics in determining these adaptations. Faculty Profile & Publications

Genomics

The major focus of investigators in this area is the use of genetic approaches to identify genes that contribute to human disease. These include studies in families and populations and are facilitated by advanced, high-throughput technologies in combination with functional computational analysis.

Immunology and Pathogenesis

The major focus of investigators in this area is the use of genetic approaches to identify factors that are involved in determining the outcome of pathogen infection. The immune cells that respond to infection as well as proteins produced by pathogens (both bacterial and viral) that contribute to virulence are studied.

Regenerative Medicine

The mission of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) is to harness the body’s ability to heal itself. Using biomaterials, genetic engineering, stem and progenitor cells, and tissue engineering modalities, the Institute investigates translational approaches ranging from gene and cell therapy to the replacement of damaged organs with engineered tissues. More than 130 investigators, students, research fellows, and postdocs work on more than 80 formal research programs. The WFIRM is a truly multidisciplinary environment where biologists, engineers, chemists, materials scientists, and clinicians of all types work side-by-side in a large, open laboratory environment. The training philosophy stresses interactions between investigators with different backgrounds in a team-environment to solve challenging clinical problems.

Structural Biology

Investigators in structural biology study the molecular structures and physical properties of proteins, nucleic acids and their complexes. The tools of molecular biology are used to synthesize proteins in large quantities suitable for physical analysis by X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, enzymology, and a variety of biophysical methods such as light scattering and sedimentation.

Jacquelyn Fetrow Computational analysis of functional sites in proteins; development of methods to model biological networks from experimental time course data; and analysis of molecular dynamics and motion in proteins. Faculty Profile / Research Description

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